Saudi Influence and the Adoption of Extremist Demands Led To the Unhindered Growth of Extremism in Pakistan
Zero Tolerance for Extremism
By Mohammad Ahmad
February 28, 2013
The killing machines are operating full time. The Hazara genocide continues. Pakistan’s soul is being tortured as Quetta bleeds with one attack after the other. Buses taking pilgrims to Iran were previously the targets of choice. Then it was conveniently said that providing security to transport on the road to Iran at places distant from the city was not always possible. Now the target is the city but insecurity still rules. Rather than taking effective measures to eliminate terrorists, the federal interior minister only talks of making the Hazara area a red zone. Does that not implicitly mean that terrorists will be allowed to remain but only their entering the Hazara area would be made difficult?
It is not their appearance that is hated by their killers, it is their Shiite faith. In the land of the pure, having a differing faith has become a crime punishable by death in the eyes of some. The root cause of the problem lies in the narrow minds of murderers who consider all differing with them as heretics and apostates, and thus deserving death as punishment. This mindset is not new in Pakistan. Unfortunately, edicts given by scholars from various schools of thought proclaiming such a fate for those reciting the Kalima Shahadah do exist. Even as far back as 1953, the majority of the clerics were receptive to such ideas and the Munir Commission on the Anti-Ahmadiyya riots of 1953 records such hatred. It is shameful that the Prophet (PBUH) in whose name they eschew such hatred is not with them on this.
Historically, such views are not confined to the latter day Muslim clerics alone. Surprisingly, Christians too started holding these views in the 4th century when Justinian (483–565) prescribed the death penalty for apostasy and the penalty became part of Roman law in AD 535. Even as late as the 16th century, such views continued, as evident from the edict by the French Protestant theologian John Calvin (1509–64) who wished to extend religion by the sword and reserve death as the punishment for apostasy. He says, “Catholics should suffer the same penalties as those who were guilty of sedition, on the grounds that the majesty of God must be as strictly avenged as the throne of the king.” Modern Christians have learned their lesson and no more advocate these views. It is not understandable what keeps our clerics to learn their own lessons.
In the 1950s, the poison of extremism remained restricted to extremist clerics, as the state was not tolerant towards extremism. Later, when political expediencies made Z A Bhutto embrace the extremist demand to declare Ahmadis as non-Muslims, it got the initial boost, as the state that should have essentially remained neutral in a dispute of religious nature became a party to it. Subsequently, the reign of the radical president Gen Ziaul Haq then let extremism have a field day when discriminatory legislation was enacted targeting minorities and militant pseudo-religious organisations were allowed to form and operate.
The Shiite and Ahmadi target killings and the terror attacks on them are an extension of the extremist mindset that can conveniently embrace terrorism due to commonality of objectives. The subcontinent has not seen such barbarism in the past. Prior to organised faith killings of the modern era, the only example of such barbarism in the subcontinent is the killing of the 17th century saint Sarmad by the radical Moghul emperor Aurangzeb, declaring him a heretic. It is ironic that while only a few visits Aurangzeb’s grave, the grave of the saint is visited by so many even centuries later.
The common Muslims of the subcontinent have been moderate and the general body of both Sunnis and Shiites has lived in peace. Not so long ago people following the Sunni doctrine used to be seen atop rooftops witnessing Ashura processions. At some places, they also used to set up water dispensers for the mourners. Despite their doctrinal differences, the common Muslim did not consider others heretics or apostates. These are now things of the past.
The Saudi influence in Pakistan and the adoption of extremist demands has led to the unhindered growth of extremism. The country started depending on Saudi Arabia for financial assistance and even involved it in its political matters. The dependence of Pakistan on Saudi aid had a price tag about which the common Pakistani had no idea. The price tag was the total freedom to the Salafi doctrine to set up their religious schools or madrasas without any government oversight over the syllabi. That resulted in the exponential growth of this doctrine, which had a comparatively inclusive strain of Sunnis as a majority. It was conveniently forgotten by those allowing them uncontrolled growth that the Salafis had no tolerance for dissent and had all but wiped out any dissenting doctrine from areas under their political dominance. General Zia’s active support for this doctrine forced Iran to involve itself to assist the Shiites fight the onslaught on them and this made things more complex. Sectarian killing started in his era as a result of operations by militant organisations he let form and the country has since suffered. While in the past there has been some retaliatory activity by the aggrieved, it is fortunate that they have concluded retaliation to be self-consuming, and in the recent past, sense has prevailed and their reaction has so far remained restrained and civil.
The majority of students from madrasas where the dissident is taught is a heretic and thus deserving death have become the backbone of extremism in Pakistan. When terrorist outfits began operating in this part of the world, these very people sympathised with their activities and offered them political support. When subsequent to the terror attacks on the US, Pakistan started its war on terror; it did not concurrently start the prerequisite of zero tolerance for extremism that was necessary for a successful campaign against terror. The covert political support for terror outfits has, therefore, succeeded in dividing the public reaction to acts of terror, as is evident from the Malala incident where a section of society was made to smell a conspiracy, thus making the reaction weak.
The war against terrorism, which is actually the war for preserving the soul of Pakistan, cannot be won unless there is zero tolerance for the cancer of extremism that is consuming us. Doing this requires a catharsis by all institutions that wield power so that mistakes made in the past are identified and corrective action initiated with the single purpose of recreating Jinnah’s vision. The constitution grants to the people freedom of religion under Article 20 (a), which guarantees that “subject to law, public order and morality every citizen shall have the right to profess, practise and propagate his religion”, and guarantees equal protection to all people under Article 25 (1). These rights have only been selectively granted. This has resulted in extremism getting further strengthened. Dialogue between people of differing faiths has been killed and people have been left at the mercy of extremists. The reversal of extremism requires that Articles 20 (a) and 25 (1) are implemented in letter and spirit so that the people learn to live in a world where differing faiths co-exist and form the habit of logical discourse. Under no compulsion should the fundamental rights of citizens of any faith be made hostage to expediency. Additionally, hate speech should be strictly monitored. Giving Takfiri edicts and teaching them at madrasas must be banned and offenders punished. Police has a presence in all settled areas and know fully well the places where such words are spoken. They should be made to do their work and the menace tackled at its source. The security apparatus should be made to understand that extremism is the country’s worst enemy and made to act accordingly. They need to realise there is nothing like a ‘good’ extremist.
It is no more a matter of Pakistan’s image. The survival of the country is at stake. Any delay in implementing the policy of zero tolerance for extremism will cost Pakistan heavily and God forbid may force some to take action that may be suicidal for it.
Source: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2013\02\28\story_28-2-2013_pg3_5
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-terrorism-jihad/saudi-influence-adoption-extremist-demands/d/10599